The Orbital January 2012 (Issue 6)

Orbital It’s FREE!

January 2012

the

25

years and counting...

ROYAL HOLLOWAY STUDENTS’ UNION MAGAZINE

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R A E Y W HAPPY NE

FEATURING: Sports & Socs The Year Ahead

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Regulars Science of Snow

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‘Orbitalk’ ULU Yay/Nay

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Insanity Manager Resigns

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Dan Kelly, Acting Editor

Welcome back to the first 2012 issue of The Orbital! The standard weight gain marathon over Christmas has come to an end and our new year’s resolutions have, more than likely, already been broken. Then again, 2012 is the end of the world isn’t it?

Might as well make the most of it!

With the loss of our editor last term, completing another issue to such a high standard has, of course, been a difficult task.

Personally, I failed here thanks to a cheeky dissertation chaining me to a library desk (good luck third years!). However, one beast of a man managed to find the time required to put almost everything together with the layout almost single-handedly. As the content piled in, our online editor, Julian Farmer, took the brunt and managed to transfer it all onto pages. He worked like crazy and helped those who came in to complete their sections.

Other than a bit of man love, I’d love to wish you all a wonderful new year on behalf of the editorial board. Oh, and good luck for Apocalypse 2012!

Dan.

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The Orbital is the Royal Holloway Students’ Union publication.

The opinions published are not neccessarily that of the editorial board. If you would like to get in touch with us for any reason, or just to say hi, then contact one of the editors below: Acting Editor Dan Kelly editor@theorbital.co.uk News Emily Pressnell Comment Craig Gent Regulars Shannon Mizzi Lifestyle Elinor Gittins Reviews Rana Banna Sports & Socs Vacant Online Julian Farmer Art Jack Smale Admin Vacant Executive Editor Sarah Honeycombe sarah@theorbital.co.uk

Contributors: Louie Woodall Kristian Wightwick Ulrike Chawiche Ramona Saigol Suzie Jasper Helen Groenendaal Beth Bridewell Jasmine Wyeth Louise Quick Andrea Pathy Dexter (2nd Year Biology) Megan Down Jesse Collins Dan Costen Tom Watts John Cundy Shannon Mizzi Jamie Bellinger Chris Pull Hannah Graveling Danny Taylor Alisha Wadiwalla Jamie Robinson Hiba Batool Katy Donnelly Rebecca Thair Michaella Kossakowski Dalia Filippi Simon Rawlings Manuela Mitevova Beatrice Galloway Bethan Sullivan Dan Garbutt Doug German Tommaso Covella Angus Wyatt Kirstie Ralph Laura Grima Amarbeer Singh Nathan Nasrallah Andy Rich

THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

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In this issue...

NEWS 04

News Insanity Station Manager resigns

06

The big story Occupiers vacate corridor

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Occupy RHUL Students occupy Founders corridor

COMMENT

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20 43 www.theorbital.co.uk

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Letter of the week Help FemSoc light the way

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The big debate What should we be doing with our ULU affiliation?

REGULARS 16

Columns Sabbs, Graduate, Abroad

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Your SNT Read about the local Safer Neighbourhood Team

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The science of...

Snow!

REVIEWS 31

Music Some new bands to look out for

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Matilda The RSC’s latest West End show

LIFESTYLE 38

Istanbul

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Bars in Beirut Somewhere new to go...

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Listings Dates to put in your diary

SPORTS & SOCS 42

A year of sport ahead What 2012 will bring

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Cheerleading: A gay sport?

Read about the stereotypes

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Insanity station s w manager resigns Ne

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The Big Story: Find out why Occupy RHUL ended last term

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London Lowdown: Bringing you the latest from our fellow colleges

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Got a tip off?

Drop us a line if you have any sort of hunch.

We love a good story!

IN BRIEF 4

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he Station Manager of Insanity Radio has resigned her post. Guanika Singh, elected to the position in March 2011, made the announcement at the first SU General Meeting of the term. In an email to all members of Insanity Radio, Singh described her resignation as “an incredibly difficult decision that was not taken lightly.”

The formal announcement at the General Meeting was followed by a brief question and answer session on the floor of the SU, during which the details behind the shock resignation came to light. Part of the explanation appears to lie in the debate surrounding the decision to have the station broadcast on an FM frequency this year. In December, the Production Board announced that it would be broadcasting under “a new community FM license” which would allow “more opportunities for the local community to get involved” and dramatically improve the sound quality of Insanity’s broadcasts.

However, it was revealed at the GM that the Production Board may have decided at a recent meeting to reverse this decision. Singh cited tensions between the Production Board, College and the Students’ Union as one motive behind the veto, claiming that difficulties liaising with the two could make any switchover unsustainable. Explaining how OFCOM,

THE STATEMENT

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4 The Round-Up 4 The Big Story 4 London Lowdown

Editor: Emily Pressnell news@theorbital.co.uk

4Louie Woodall fills us in on the latest happenings at Insanity.

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the government’s media regulator, has greatly increased the number of restrictions binding Community FM stations, Singh argued that the switchover exposed Insanity and the SU to massive potential fines if any conditions were breached. Without the cooperation of College and the SU, she explained that the Production Board feared going ahead with the switchover on their own.

Sarah Honeycombe, Vice-President of Communications and Campaigns and a former member of the Insanity Production Board, made a statement at the GM explaining that: “Discussions are ongoing, and while I respect what they [Singh] have said today...nobody has given up yet. And for what it’s worth, I’m not going to.” Honeycombe is known to personally covet the broadcasting of Insanity on FM, which suggests friction between the Vice-President and the Insanity Production Board.

The new Station Manager, Dave Lamb, echoed Honeycombe’s words in his own statement to Insanity presenters. On the matter of the FM switchover, he said: “I would like to reassure you all that we are still going for it. Insanity is working towards going onto 103.2 FM soon.” What is not yet clear is the timing of the switchover, or whether it will be delayed in light of current circumstances.

Insanity Radio would like to make it perfectly clear that it fully intends to continue pursuing its FM licence. We are deeply disappointed that rumours suggesting the contrary have been accepted as fact.

Discussions regarding Insanity’s efforts to become Community FM station were raised in the Production Board meeting of Monday 9th January 2012, however, despite rumours to the contrary, no final decision not to move onto FM was made at that time.

Since the announcement of Insanity’s pending FM licence in March 2010, Insanity Radio has been constantly reviewing

The new price of an OffPeak Day Travelcard to London Waterloo

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its position, commitments and future as a Community FM station during board meetings. This week was no different and it is a huge shame that elements of these discussions have been taken out of context.

It was suggested in the General Meeting that the Production Board had voted on a final decision to surrender its Community FM licence. This was not, and is not, the case.

We would like to reassure all concerned that Insanity intends to continue working towards Community FM and is looking forward to moving to our new frequency of 103.2FM in the very near future.

The number of new study spaces created in Bedford Library over the Christmas break.

THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

The big round up...

Card skimming device found in Egham High Street ATM

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4Kristian Wightwick draws our attention to a local scam...

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n 19 December 2011 at around 7pm, when most of us were safely tucked up at home enjoying the copious amounts of alcohol and chocolate that come hand-in-hand with the Christmas season, a cardskimming device was discovered by a member of the public on the Barclays ATM of Egham High Street.

Witnesses told The Orbital that they saw a large number of police officers on the High Street, with the area around Barclays Bank cordoned off. The device was removed by police and taken away for forensic examination.

The device reportedly reads the card, storing its details. A criminal can then

Photo: garryknight (Flickr)

stand close to the victim and watch the PIN being entered.

Surrey Police could not give any updates with regards to any arrests made, but they have issued the following advice to members of the public: • If you notice a suspicious device attached to a cash machine, do not remove it – either report it to the bank or to the police.

• If someone looks suspicious or gets too close while you are using the cash machine, cancel your transaction and go to another machine.

• Do not accept help from strangers and do not let anyone distract you.

• Stand close to the cash machine and do not let anyone see you enter your PIN. • If the cash machine doesn’t return your card, report it immediately to your card issuer.

A similar incident occured in Woking on the same day, when police found a card skimming device in an ATM at a Morrisons supermarket.

If you have any information regarding this matter, then it is vital that you contact Surrey Police on the nonemergency number 101 and quote reference RM/11/7433. You can also contact Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111.

BRAVE DAD FIGHTS LOCAL FIRE 4Ulrike Chawiche praises a local hero.

A local father and actor managed to put out the worst of a fire at his Virginia Water home, just days after Christmas.

Peter Stephens, 49, detected the fire on Tuesday, 27 December when he heard a sizzling sound coming out of the bedroom. By the time he reached the room, curtains and mattress were already on fire.

It appeared that a bedside lamp had possibly overheated, before a curtain blew over the top of it and caught alight.

However, Egham Fire Station is still investigating the case further.

When entering the scene the father of

four used breathing techniques exercised by actors to help him try and overcome the smoke which had already filled the room. With small buckets of water he tried to quench the fire, managing to put most of it out by the time fire fighters from Egham and Chertsey had arrived.

Despite Mr Stephens suffering from minor smoke inhalation, no one got injured. However, the whole top floor of the house has been damaged and needs to be refurbished, meaning the family can’t live in there for the moment. Friends and family have already kindly offered their help.

Photo: The Surrey Herald

Newsflash! A brand new theatre for the Drama and Theatre Department has been approved by Runnymede Borough Council. Works are planned to start soon, but the College could no give a set date whilst plans are still being finalised. Read the full story on our website. news@theorbital.co.uk

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THE BIG STORY

Occupiers vacate corr term draws to a cl

4Ramona Saigol explores how and why last term’s occupation came to an end.

Photo: Julian Farmer (The Orbital)

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THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

Commentary

ridor as lose

The decision by senior management to use legal action against students campaigning over the future of higher education is a worrying trend being seen in universities across the UK. Before RHUL jumped on the bandwagon, both Sheffield and Birmingham universities sought high court action to stamp out anti-cuts protesting. This is a cowardly way

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n 8 December a group of students left the Senior Management corridor of Royal Holloway’s prestigious Founders Building as their occupation, lasting almost 200 hours, came to an end.

The protesting students included members of Royal Holloway’s AntiCuts Alliance as well as activists from the Save Classics campaign, whose ultimate aim was to gain Principal Layzell’s signature on the ‘Principal’s Pledge’ - a list of nine commitments to adhere to which had been proposed by the students.

The pledges included commitments to stop staff and course cuts, alongside management’s rejection of the government-proposed White Paper, which the students claim will eventually leave higher education open only to the elite, voiding access to those less fortunate.

The occupation itself received a great deal of support within Royal Holloway from many students and lecturers, as well as on a national and international level with many other universities supporting the students’ actions. However, disruptions in the daily activities of Senior Management due to the occupation ultimately led to a rejection of the methods used by the activists by the senior staff.

On 5 December, the occupiers were issued with a formal letter asking them to leave the corridor or face legal action for trespassing. Following two meetings with the occupiers throughout the week, it appeared to the Principal to be ‘a sensible time to conclude the occupation’.

The letter stated that the students’ occupation had cost the college £3000, as well as causing several disruptions to the general management of the

news@theorbital.co.uk

out for the university bosses who are intent on transforming our university beyond recognition by ushering in big businesses. By trying to take their own students to court for protesting in defence of their departments, management have chosen to bully their way out of a corner rather than take on the genuine concerns of the university’s stakeholders.

Craig Gent

college. The group were asked to vacate the area as the principal threatened to obtain a high court order to gain an injunction against the protest.

The occupiers have stated that the management team’s ultimate refusal to negotiate, despite persistent appeals from the protestors, and instead seek legal action against the students led to increasing intimidation leaving the students with no choice other than to vacate the space. They believe that the manner in which the principal dealt with the protest portrays the university’s ‘perverse management culture’, claiming that he ‘belittled’ the aims of the activists and ‘defamed the respectable purpose of the occupation’ by taking costly action rather than the option of free negotiation with the group.

The final straw came when the management indicated that the college’s Annual Fund, which many students within Royal Holloway rely on, would not be allocated if they were refused the space within the corridor.

This eventually led to the end of the occupation.

The protestors claim that this is not the end of the fight against educational cuts within Royal Holloway, rather that it is only the beginning. In its blog, OccupyRHUL states that the amount of support it has obtained through this occupation alone has given it the confidence to continue with its cause, and that it hopes to utilize the galvanised support it has received from this occupation throughout further actions.

Occupy RHUL plan to renew the campaign this term starting with a series of actions in the aim of disrupting the ‘unjustified actions’ of the Senior Management team.

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NEWS

The Orbital has teamed up with the London Journalist Support Network, (LSJSN). LSJSN exists to provide support to student led publications and student journalists within the University of London.

By being a part of LSJSN, we are more integrated with knowledge of what’s happening with other University of London institutions.

This page serves to keep us in the know with London news.

UCL

UCL hopes to build new Stratford campus in London In a bid to counter the high costs and high demand for student accommodation in Central London, UCL has announced plans to build a new campus in the London Borough of Newham.

Currently, the university is only able to accommodate 20% of its student population, and as UCL Provost Professor Malcolm Grant states: “the reason [for the development] is that we are running out of space. Our Bloomsbury campus lies within one of the most expensive real estate locations in the world.”

The site proposed will be 20 acres

LSE collaborates with The Guardian on report about riots A unique collaboration between the LSE’s student body and The Guardian investigating the motivations behind August’s riots was published online on 5 December. The report, entitled ‘Reading the Riots’, interviewed more than 270 rioters from the major cities affected including London, Birmingham and Liverpool, collecting more than 1.3 million words of unprecedented insight.

The report found that with the strongest motivation being intense feelings of social and economic injustice, it was inevitable that approximately half the rioters were students and that over half of those not

LSE

studying were unemployed. Of those interviewed, it was found that 73% had been stopped by the police in the last 12 months and that riots were considered to be “anti-police” due to antagonism associated with continual racial profiling, everyday interactions and, more specifically, the police shooting of Mark Duggan which sparked the initial disturbances in Tottenham.

There will be a second ‘Reading the Riots’ report later this year, detailing the experiences of the communities, police and judges affected by the disturbances and their aftermath.

KCL

in size and in close proximity to the Stratford Regional railway station, the Olympic Park and the new Westfield Shopping Centre which provides links to Stratford International railway station.

The journey from Stratford International to St. Pancras takes approximately seven minutes, while the regional station is on the Central and Jubilee lines as well as the DLR. However, doubts have been raised as to whether prospective students will be convinced by the advantages of a Stratford campus while the inner city life of the Bloomsbury campus remains so attractive.

KCL offers new MA in Abrahamic Religions to postgraduates Photo: eli-r-brown (Flickr)

Bursting the campus bubble with the news from colleges across the capital. We are part of the University of London, after all!

In an extension of its Department of Theology and Religious Studies, King’s College London is now offering a unique Masters course in the joint study of Judaism, Islam and Christianity. No other university in the world offers this course and Dr. Adam Silverstein,

who has lectured for six years in Muslim-Jewish Relations at Oxford, will be its first director.

Students will learn about each religion separately as well as the interactions – past, present and future – between these religions and their followers.

4Brought to you by Suzie Jasper

THE LONDON LOWDOWN 8

THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

London lowdown

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RHUL

Support and Advisory update: lighting

4Helen Groenendaal from RHUL Support and Advisory services tells us about what they are doing about the poor lighting in the local area.

Together with Sabbaticals Katie, Daniel and Jasmine (Feminist Society) we are looking at the lighting both on and off campus as it is often raised by students as an issue of concern.

A recent survey conducted by the Feminist Society asked questions about lighting to gauge current student opinion and suggestions for areas which could be looked at, and several areas were identified as having faulty lights or inadequate lighting. To better assess this, we conducted an evening walk in these areas to resolve the identified concerns.

The walk showed lighting is in fact good throughout Egham

& Englefield Green on the main roads surrounding the campus and that the areas where lighting was felt to be poor are actually alleyways and shortcuts we always advise students to avoid as common sense personal safety advice.

We identified a number of streetlights out in Englefield Green which are now reported to Surrey County Council for repair. Good street lighting on campus and around the local area is reliant on people reporting these faults with lights, and the website (see below) has links to the relevant reporting pages for both campus and community lighting faults.

The Surrey Police Englefield Green Safer Neighbourhoods Team has produced maps advising safe, well lit routes to use when walking locally; you can download copies from the personal safety pages www.rhul.ac.uk/forstudents/ support/personalsafety/lighting. aspx. We suggest you familiarise yourself with the well lit routes throughout the campus which are available on flyers from the Security Control Office. These routes on campus are also covered

by CCTV cameras and patrolled regularly by security officers.

To discuss lighting further please email us: SupportAndAdvisory@rhul.ac.uk

Bedford Library: Christmas improvements 4An update from the College about the recent changes in Bedford Library...

The Library Service at Royal Holloway has taken advantage of the Christmas break to make a number of improvements for students.

On Monday 9 January, the first day of term, an extra 90 study spaces were available on Level 1 of Bedford Library along with an additional 28 PCs. Level 2 of the library has also been much improved. An open plan office for the library staff has released space for small study rooms and reconfigured, much improved toilet facilities.

Following feedback from students, the library has also provided 10 adjustable height desks to ensure all students are comfortable in their study environment.

The changes to the library are

the latest following a number of improvements made in 2011.

In October, 25 new spaces were created and 18 computers revamped to provide students with flexible working options.

Not only is the Library providing more space for study, but also longer opening hours with more than 100 hours per week in term time, and 24 hour opening in the spring (exam) term.

Academic registrar, Simon Higman, said: “The new and improved study environment provides Royal Holloway’s students with more space and flexible study options. We thank Library users for their patience over the Christmas vacation and the Library staff for the adjustments they have made to

make this possible.”

The official opening of the refurbished area comes hand in hand with the College’s ‘Discover Your Library’ Love to Learn week.

The week will run from 23-27 January and involves a number of events for students, ranging from sessions about inter-library loans to practical sessions on how to research assignments.

The week also includes study skills sessions, exhibitions of rare books and concludes with the return of library fine donation day.

In March last year, the day raised £4,525.30 for the Royal Holloway Rainforest project through Library fine donations alone. For a list of events during ‘Discover Your Library’ week, visit the Royal Holloway Library website.

It’s always important to stay up to date with news from Royal Holloway.

This page should keep you in the know about College happenings!. news@theorbital.co.uk

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Editor: Craig Gent comment@theorbital.co.uk

Photo: Daniel Lackey (Flickr)

Help FemSoc light the way Feminism Society president, Jasmine Wyeth, wants the authorities to get serious about safety

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Societies View: Amnesty: Control Arms.

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Principal’s email: ‘A point of clarification’.

4 The Big Debate 4 Your Letters 4 Societies

The Big Debate: What should we be doing with our ULU affiliation?

oing home after dark is a typical part of many students’ lives, but is it too dark in some areas? When Kingswood Halls has its own “rape alley”, and when it is so dark near the back gate on campus that one cannot even see one’s own feet, then the answer is probably “yes”. Although attacks on people’s personal safety are infrequent, they do happen, and it is vital that we prevent them from becoming more common.

Safety is a fundamental issue for any students’ union, and feeling unsafe on or around campus can really affect people’s well-being. So, after hearing many stories of people feeling unsafe on or around campus at night, the Feminism Society has started working with the Students’ Union to see how the street lighting in the local area can be improved.

Recently, the president and treasurer of Fem Soc went on a “night walk” where we took note of lights that were not working in the local area.

However, we need to hear your thoughts on the state of the lighting on and around campus and if/where you think it should be improved. The Feminism Society is conducting a survey looking at issues of safety, and

so far, the woods on campus and the pathways toward Kingswood have been common suggestions for areas that are in need of better lighting.

You can make your suggestions at www.su.rhul.ac.uk/aboutus/ surveys. After discussions between the Feminism Society, the Students’ Union and the College’s community liaison officer, there is also a new webpage where you can report broken lights: http://www.rhul.ac.uk/ forstudents/support/personalsafety/ lighting.aspx This is a real opportunity for you to contribute to increasing the safety of other students, and also the safety of the wider community. Working with the community is a very important part of the role of a students’ union, and better lighting would have a universal benefit.

There will be a consultative meeting in February between the Students’ Union, the College and the local council at which the issue of lighting will be raised. However, cuts to the budgets of local authorities may make campaigning for better street lighting more difficult, so it is really important that we hear from you so that we can present a strong case for improvement.

THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

Your Letters

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KeepCup’s not for mugs!

Louise Quick on saving the planet, getting an easy discount and her new best friend...

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hat’s right, this is an article about a cup. I actually chose to write an article about a cup. But this is not any old cup, this is the sustainable KeepCup, and I think you should have one.

Picture this, if you will: you’re tucking into your favourite coffee from you local Cafe Costbucks, the caffeine goodness safely concealed within the takeaway cup and that random unnecessary slip around the middle.

Have you ever thought to yourself, “what a jolly good idea that this packaging is card, because now it’s recyclable”, only to subsequently lob it straight into the first available bin once finished – “well I’m not going to carry it around with me all day”? Yes, exactly. Me too.

But here’s a not-so fun fact for you: every year 500 billion disposable cups are manufactured, which equates to an average of 75 disposable cups for every person on earth.

That is a lot of waste. Even if one does manage to somehow recycle every last one of their takeaway cups, consider the energy, natural resources and materials that go into the production of those containers.

In enters the KeepCup. So yes, they are reusable and

look pretty funky, but what makes them stand out from the reusable-cup-crowd is that they are barista standard, a somewhat pretentious term meaning they are the same size and shape as normal takeaway cups, so you get all the coffee you pay for, whilst also avoiding the odd looks one receives when, as an eco alternative to the disposable container, they hand over the counter their dad’s old camping thermos.

And guess what? They are for sale right here at Royal Holloway. They may be £6, but, (here is the sales pitch I’ve been perfecting), with the purchase of a KeepCup on campus you are given a free hot beverage of choice, meaning that the cup really only costs about £4. Plus, (yes, there’s more – pay attention please!), you then receive 10p off of every coffee purchase; 40 coffees and you’re in profit.

With every slurp you take from your KeepCup you are not only significantly reducing the amount of water usage and the size of the landfills, but also saving yourself money in the long term. If you’re going to be a dirty coffee addict, then at least try to be an environmentally-conscious dirty coffee addict.

Photo: ohdarling (Flickr) comment@theorbital.co.uk

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BIG What should we be doin debate

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We should be getting stuck in!

Craig Gent Campaigns Officer

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’ve long been a vocal critic of the idea that a student union’s role should just be to provide a casual place for a cheap pint and a pasty (not that the word ‘cheap’ exists at Royal Holloway), or a place to go and moan about how your landlord just doesn’t understand that squalor is a normal part of student life. While I value these things as much as anyone else, the idea of a student union as a mere ‘service provider’ makes my skin crawl.

Representation becomes an empty word if it is just thrown around without context. We’re all aware that student unions exist to ‘represent’ us, but believe it or not, they were not created just to represent us in all matters concerning beer, fast food and being a good “ULU became housemate. As students we a means for are part of a wider world, students to and student unions exist to organise and represent our interests in mobilise in that world at every level.

This is not the same as just defence of being confined to providing education.” services.

In 1994 when John Major put through the Education Act, he wanted to take the power out of student unions because, like trade unions in the 80s, they were a threat to the Government’s plans (which, surprise surpise, were to negatively affect students).

Giving students the choice to opt-out of membership didn’t quite have the desired affect Major had hoped for, however recent years have seen a decline in Sus that are actually willing to stick up for their members in the real world, fearing that they will be seen as ‘too political’. Well guess what? The real world is political.

This is an area ULU succeeded in last year, and it’s

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precisely why affiliation is so valuable to us. In the face of education cuts at national and local level, SUs across London were withering in their criticism of the Government and capitulating at the sight of axe-wielding university bosses.

Meanwhile ULU took its role seriously, prioritising ABOUT: Two things you may or democracy by giving students may not know about the University of London Union (ULU): 1) they direct input into the things have over 40 clubs and societies, they wanted to organise, and including a Harry Potter society; giving students a voice at a 2) as a member of SURHUL (that’s national level. ULU became our union, dummy), you are also a a means for students from member of ULU. ULU is your base in across the University, from London, open to students from every Goldsmiths to the University college of the University of London. of London Institute in Paris, to organise and mobilise in As Royal Holloway is further afield than the more central such defence of education. as University College London or We don’t have the money or London School of Economics, resources that UCL Union are able to enjoy, so ULU is a body it’s fair to say ULU doesn’t play such a central role in our time as we should be getting stuck into students. However, it is often said in order to receive maximum ULU is of most benefit to smaller gain. From organising against institutions, such as Birkbeck and education cuts to providing Heythrop (and Royal Holloway), as facilities for clubs and it provides access to extra facilities, entertainments and activities to societies, ULU exists for us. l

“We should be maximising the use we can get from ULU’s student activities.” - Sam, 2nd year English

“How about we move our campus closer to ULU using the frozen donkey wheel under Founder’s“ - Dexter, 2nd year Biology THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

ng with our ULU affiliation?

We should make like a banana and split Andrea Pathy 3rd year Creative Writing

Photo: Matthew Black (Flickr)

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ne sunny afternoon, I was roaming around London when I stumbled across a fairly average looking building with some good-looking students streaming in and out.

Marked on the wall was ‘ULU’. Being one with a curious mind, I googled the unknown acronym those that such colleges can manage. and was enlightened by discovery.

ULU’s profile was raised last year As if Royal Holloway SU wasn’t to the point that ULU President enough, I had discovered a new Clare Solomon was interviewed place to socialise and to unite

by Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight. with other students.

Determined to make ULU more The problem was, I have never than just a place for a cheap jacket been back since and haven’t even potato, Solomon helped make ULU heard it mentioned since. We’ve a hub for the student movement across London, acting as the home got our own union in a place of the London Student Assembly convenient to us, not an hour’s and the starting point on every commute. Maybe attraction student demonstration since. would be stronger if we were more local to ULU. But being What does this mean for us as the distance we are from London, Royal Holloway students? Should Royal Holloway students very we write ULU off as a cheap but distant night out?

Or should rarely engage with the physical we be getting involved with the benefits. I’m well aware it’s not larger opportunities it presents just about a building but what in terms of mobilising students? benefits do we actually get from If anything, it does have a lot of ULU? rooms for student activities…

It’s nice knowing there is a

“I first went to ULU when we met there for the big student march. It’s really good to have somewhere to go when I have lectures in London.” - Katy, 3rd year History comment@theorbital.co.uk

gym and swimming pool in the centre of London that we could use if we so desire and it’s nice to have a cross London university newspaper such as London Student but asides from that, what is the point? Without ULU, a bigger budget would be given to universities and smaller universities especially in order to develop their “We’ve got our own SUs – something which own union in a would definitely come in handy at Royal Holloway. place convenient Further to that, I have to us, not an to question the need for hour’s commute.”

ULU Sabbatical officers. At SURHUL, we have four sabbatical officers already. I would sometimes doubt the need for four at Royal Holloway. To then have another three at ULU to ‘represent us’ seems over the top. I don’t know who they are or what they do and I am unlikely to ever find out.

Writing this article, however, I felt at least an inkling of responsibility to find out who these figures are.

Last year, ULU was lead by a Marxist mad-woman who headed the ‘revolution’, which she no doubt compared to the event at Tahir square, the fall of Gaddaffi or some shit like that. The reality was a thirtysomething mum wandering around Millbank with a silly hat on while young hooligans ran up and down the stairs of a bland concrete office block. This year’s not much better. A little known chap – who’s more likely to lead the revolution from his bed – has done little or nothing that any one knows of.

What difference these shenanigans have made to the life of the average student is not really clear. If nothing else, we must get rid of these wannabes – be that politicians, managers or activists – to save us all a bit of money while keeping the services that people actually use. l

“I don’t really see the point to be honest, though their shop and bar is cheaper than ours!” - Joe, 2nd year PIR 13

OrbiTALK!

Control Arms

Amnesty International society Campaigns Officer, Megan Down, on why the arms trade is bananas...

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here are currently more rules governing the international trade in bananas than there are on the trade of arms. That’s right: it’s more difficult for one country to sell fruit to another than it is for nations to sell guns, tanks and bombs to just about any other country – and this was highlighted all too clearly last year when arms exported from Europe, Russia and the the USA were repeatedly used in violent government crackdowns against protesters in North Africa and the Middle East.

Successive UK governments have supplied arms to Libya, Bahrain and others in the region. As recently as 2010, the UK government authorised the sale of £1.5million of military weaponry to Bahrain, including grenade launchers, riot guns used to spray tear gas, and machine guns. The armoured tanks seen patrolling the streets of Libya in February 2011 looked suspiciously identical to those manufactured by

Photo: Alex Ma (Amnesty)

UK-based NMS International Group Ltd., and let’s not forget that they represented the UK at an arms fair in Tripoli in 2010, showing off the best that Britain had to offer in deadly armaments to Libyan government officials. When protesters were bombed, shot at, and gassed across North Africa and the Middle East last year, the UK government had blood on its hands, because those weapons came from us.

In 2006, Control Arms campaigners achieved a major success when 153 countries voted overwhelmingly at the UN to develop an International Arms Trade Treaty (IATT) to control the deadly global trade in weaponry.

In 2009, they voted to complete negotiations by 2012. This is the final frontier in the campaign for a comprehensive IATT, but the fight isn’t over – we must ensure that the IATT is effective and comprehensive. Amnesty International believe that for this to be the case, it must cover all weapons,

including ammunition and small arms, regulate trade conducted through intermediaries as well as directly between governments, and provide absolute guarantees that no government will allow the transfer of arms to another nation if there is suspicion that they might be used to fuel human rights abuses.

Corporate responsibility may be a dirty term to many, but it hardly seems a controversial idea that we shouldn’t sell guns to states who might use them to kill innocent protesters in their hundreds. As far as I’m concerned, Bahrain can have all of the bananas it wants, but it’s time we made it a bit more difficult for governments with long records of human rights abuses to their their hands on deadly weapons.

Visit www.amnesty.org.uk/controlarms to find out more about Amnesty’s campaign for an International Arms Trade Treaty.

Note from the section editor: This is the societies’ comment section; giving one society each edition the chance to comment on an issue which has been a topic of discussion within the group. We give you the space, you choose the topic; whether a local, national or international issue, this is an opportunity for societies to give the rest of campus an idea of what their hot topics are and for students to get an insight into a new society every edition!

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THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

Your Letters

A point of clarification, following the Principal’s email to students

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Jesse Collins takes umbrage at the Principal’s email following the departure of OccupyRHUL.

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Photo: shareski (Flickr)

hen students occupied the senior management Of course, had the Principal made some commitment to corridor on 30 November, they did so to highlight students, the occupation could have been ended at any point the issues raised by the Principal’s Pledge, show prior to legal papers being served. their support for striking lecturers, and to demand of the “I was very disappointed to read that the group promises to Principal that he makes some serious commitments to concerns resume their disruption of the senior management team.” which had been raised in the “appropriate fora” (to use Prof.

The work of the senior management team includes getting Layzell’s preferred terminology) of the Students’ Union; these rid of staff, cutting courses and ushering in big businesses issues being raised repeatedly in SU general meetings and who want to make cash from students. If Prof. Layzell is the Principal’s Pledge itself a product of the SU’s education disappointed that his students are willing to take measures assemblies. Following the end of the occupation, by means to be meaningfully heard on these issues, and to defend their of trying to take concerned students to the High Court, courses and lecturers, he should first be disappointed in Prof. Layzell communicated with students his account of the himself. occupation and feelings of disappointment that students are “I want to make it absolutely clear that I will not tolerate any still intent on protecting their courses and opposing the HE action that disrupts college life in a similar manner next term.” white paper. This article is an attempt to elucidate some of the This ‘tough on protesting’ line is becoming a common spin so craftily spun in that email. tactic by university bosses, as has been seen in Birmingham “I had asked the occupiers to leave…once it was absolutely and Sheffield. This is indicative of the way Prof. Layzell clear that we had exhausted the debate around their Principal’s sees students, as it’s unlikely he would have made a similar Pledge.” statement to the other stakeholders in The Principal’s Pledge (Ed. - printed “Here the Principal cleverly the College (the lecturers) when they in issue 5 of the Orbital) asked the went on strike over their pensions gathers a wealth of straw and dispute.

Principal to make commitments around opposing the HE white paper The Principal goes on to prides constructs the proverbial (which he admits it bad for Royal himself on working with the SU man.”

Holloway in many ways, even if he on measures to improve student is not willing to announce it to the involvement, neglecting to mention Universities Minister), student representation in College that this has only come about because of constant campaigning governance matters, the closure of departments and the sacking by students. He also goes to imply that the occupation was not of staff. The Principal felt the debate around these crucial issues peaceful, which it most certainly was, and that it was in some had been exhausted after a little over 2 hours’ discussion over way ‘illegitimate’. Frankly, this is not true. Occupations as a the course of the 8 days, give or take a few emails. tactic received support in the SU’s education assembly, which “The use of legal remedies on campus is an action of last subsequently triggered a motion in support of direct action, resort.” including occupations, at the general meeting. The occupation Here the Principal cleverly gathers a wealth of straw and was only illegitimate if Prof. Layzell does not recognise the constructs the proverbial man. Legal action is here presented legitimacy of the Students’ Union, which he apparently does. as the only way management could have ended the occupation.

More rope, Professor?

comment@theorbital.co.uk

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Editor: Shannon Mizzi regulars@theorbital.co.uk

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Your SNT Read about the Englefield Green Safer Neighbourhood Team.

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The Science of... Snow Chris Pull explains what’s really going on when you’re walking in a winter wonderland.

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28 Agony Aunt: Our resident agony aunt, Hannah, answers some of your burning questions.

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4 Columns 4 Safer Neighbourhoods 4 Research4 In your view 4 Science of 4 Bar Blog

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sabb column 4Vice President (Communications and Campaigns), Sarah Honeycombe talks names...

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o, is it Founder’s, Founders’ or Founders? The big bright orange building at the top of the hill.

Logic immediately eliminates option 2. We have a singular founder, Thomas Holloway, and therefore naming a building after multiple non-existent people and then giving them ownership over said building would be ridiculous. That is not to say, however, that this particular error is not widespread.

Options 1 and 3 are most common.

Option 1 suggesting that the castle shaped structure that is one of the most flammable constructs in the country belongs to Thomas Holloway. Perhaps not universally used because of the confusion prompted by our lord and creator being dead for almost 130 years.

Option 3 suggests…I actually have no idea. The “s” is just there to make it sound better. “Founder Building”

He graduated last year, he works in The Hub, he used to design The Orbital.

If you don’t know him (which you should): he’s The Tom Watts.

doesn’t exactly roll of the tongue, perhaps.

Already I can imagine eyes rolling and the thought “why does it matter?” running through your head.

The honest truth? It probably doesn’t matter at all. Be it Founders or Founder’s it’s still the same building.

No, as Waterstones (no apostrophe needed, apparently) have proved, it just isn’t relevant. What Waterstones have cleverly done, however, is made a mass announcement of their change in name and will be altering their shop fronts at the same time.

I sit on many meetings with College trying to get stuff done but I have yet to find the appropriate set of people to bring this up with: campus signage says Founder’s. The university website, however, doesn’t.

Pick one and stick with it.

Not because it matters but because the lives of student media editors rests upon it. One day one of the “I’mright-no-I’m-right” arguments will turn violent.

Note: it should be Founder’s.

Grammar and Wikipedia both agree with me. Not that I can check Wikipedia currently. It’s gone on strike because SOPA is bad. They’re right on that too.

A few weeks ago I was at a house party, sat in a bathroom with a few friends, declaring that “2012! It’s gonna be our year!”

Fast forward to today, and in the cold, sober light of the delightful British summer (or winter - I can’t tell the difference) those drunken boasts seem further away than ever, and here’s why: it’s currently 12:39 on the 4th of January 2012, and Loose Women is on the television in front of me. God damn you Carol McGiffin.

Fortunately though, whilst McGiffin (or MacGuffin for you media THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

Student Abroad Having returned to Germany on the 2nd of January (there are no long holidays to be had in German schools), it was straight back into the previous teaching cycle. However, I did go back to England a week before term ended so... swings and roundabouts.

The school was quite accommodating with me leaving a bit earlier than is usual, although I have tried to make up the hours that I should have been working, which they appreciate.

In the beginning of December the education ministry for Sachsen (the state in which I am living) organised a small get together for all the students working as language assistants in the nearest big town. It was nice to meet other assistants, particularly as it’s not just a British Council thing. There were assistants from Spain, America, France and, undoubtedly, the gatherings were even more diverse in other parts of

students) waffles on, it means that I can cop out on this column and just list a bunch of generic resolutions that I could, possibly, maybe make, most of which I’ll have broken by the end of this column. I guess that is a bit boring though, so instead I’ll just justify why I’m not going to bother with resolutions at all: 1) Lose the weight I put on over Christmas I’ve got the fastest metabolism of anybody I know. I eat a mars bars and ten minutes later I’m having a sit down wee. regulars@theorbital.co.uk

Germany. This is great because people who study more than one language may be able to find a native speaker to practice their third language with!

As far as socialising goes, I’ve met up with people that I met on the introductory course a fair few times which is a huge comfort! It’s nice to be able to talk to people who can relate to you and with whom you can chat about the cultural differences! And a few of us have planned a weekend away in Prague with the obligatory trip to Karlovy Lazne club, which should be good.

The snow that was claimed to be on its way has still not materialised! So many Germans told me that the snow would be over a metre high and last for weeks! Last year it seems they had a pretty harsh winter, but this year has been pretty boring really. Not that I’m complaining.

2) Get a real graduate Job I could do this. I probably won’t. I don’t want to be a recruiter. In fact there are so many fucking recruiters, you have to wonder who on earth they’re still recruiting?! Recruiters recruiting for more recruiters…meta.

3) Quit smoking I don’t smoke vis-à-vis well done me.

I’ve already achieved this one. I might just take up smoking crack cocaine so that this time next year I can quit smoking that. Furthermore, giving up smoking crack is way harder than giving up smoking cigarettes, so well

Student Abroad

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Follow Dan Costen as he embarks on a year working in Germany, teaching kids English...

done me. Again.

4) Spend more time with family I have to explain this one? Seriously?

Most of you will have just spent a few weeks at home without: SU nights, 4am bedtimes, The Monkeys Forehead, the cultural delights of Egham, among other things.

5) And finally, don’t watch Loose Women This one is real.

Yep. 2012 is definitely gonna be my year.

Follow Tom on Twitter: @TheTomWatts

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REGULARS

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Your SNT Local PCSO, John Cundy, writes about the role of the Englefield Green Safer Neighbourhood Team.

bout a month ago, I woke up from one of my usual Sunday afternoon dozes to a very familiar sight. Namely, the south quad of Founder’s, resplendent with the statues of Thomas & Jane Holloway forming the backdrop for an upmarket private school and the mysteriously named ‘pudding club’ with yet the plot of another episode of Midsomer Murders.

Despite the connection with Royal Holloway, Midsomer County Town and its satellite Midsomer villages are certainly a place you would wish to avoid at all costs. Causton’s police statistics must be terrifyingly depressing, with an average of four murders per episode, that the fragile population of this Chilterns community must be bordering on extinction... Thank goodness for Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby who bounds in each week with refreshed enthusiasm and solves everything within the course of the 60 minute episode.

Sorry! Surrey Police are a little slower as it takes Carole and myself almost as long to wind our way over from Addlestone, our now base station, up to Englefield Green via

the Campus where we start work in earnest (although we do kid ourselves into thinking that we achieve the same results in the end). Barnaby certainly earns his £60,000 salary, and we already worry as to what is going to happen when he reaches his magical 30 years of service and retires.

Oops, silly me. Of course, he has already been replaced by his cousin, no less, who needless to say echoes the enthusiasm of his older relative.

Fortunately, in the real world, communities such as the ‘Midsomers’ do not exist and even more so in the leafy suburbs of Surrey. Murders are few and far between, and inevitably revolve around the breakdown in a relationship. Assaults are scarce, especially those involving students, although we must admit we do have our share of burglaries and antisocial behaviour. The fear of crime actually exceeds the number of crimes themselves, and a lot of the work of the Safer Neighbourhood Team is given over to bolstering reassurance within the community.

Both Carole and I are not Police Officers. As Community Support Officers we have no more powers than any member of the public in the street.

Yet, we have sufficient confidence in the community that we happily patrol on foot or bicycle, sometimes as late as 3am.

I cannot speak for Carole, but I admit that I am no ‘spring chicken’.

In fact, the Englefield Green safer neighbourhood team must be one of the oldest in the county both in terms of age and length of service. However, we do pride ourselves on the service we deliver and are honoured to be of help to the student community of Royal Holloway.

Being on campus most days, we delight in the opportunity to chat with you and assist wherever possible. We hope we are not scary, so please come and chat with us when you can. It helps our day pass quickly.

Unfortunately, none of us are particularly computer literate so it’s been an uphill struggle for Carole and I to be dragged (literally) kicking and screaming into the 21st Century, so do join us on our Facebook page.

Rumours of crime are abound, so please do not listen to gossip. If there is anything relevant to the student body rest assured the College will be informed and details issued through the Community Liaison Office.

Some of the RHUL Support & Advisory Team with the PCSOs John Cundy and Carole Lawford and PC Ian Scott.

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THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

RHUL research

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RHUL RESEARCH 4Shannon Mizzi brings you the latest news on research being conducted at Royal Holloway, one of the world’s leading institutions for research.

Making online shopping safer Internet security is a major concern in the present day as people are required to give out a good bit of their very personal information online, such as their address or their banking details. Royal Holloway researchers are in the process of helping to analyse and scrutinise the security system known as Transport Layer Security, or TLS. The research is designed to identify any weaknesses or nonsecure features of the TLS programme in order to provide internet bankers and shopper with greater consumer confidence. TLS works by encrypting messages containing information that need to remain secure as they move across the internet. One way for internet users to tell if a website is using this feature is that in the search bar, the web address will appear with an ‘https’ rather than the regular ‘http’ at the beginning.

The system is not without flaws, as the researchers are discovering. RHUL’s Information Security Group member Professor Kenny Paterson stated: “There is still scope for a ‘distinguishing attack’ against TLS 1.2, where an attacker could tell whether a user has sent a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ during a transaction, for example.

However, Professor Paterspn explained: ‘TLS uses something called a Message Authentication Code (MAC) tag to help provide security, and for our attack to work, we would need the MAC tag to be small.”

In order to prevent this theoretical threat these tags need to be large, hence the title of the researchers’ report of these findings: ‘Tag Size Does Matter: Attacks and Proofs for the TLS Record Protocol’.

Thanks to these researchers, online shopping consumer confidence should be at an all-time high, at least when it comes to worries about security details.

Photo: sidelong (Flickr)

Life in an Institution

Photo: newmy51 (Flickr) regulars@theorbital.co.uk

An upcoming exhibition organised by Royal Holloway’s own Dr. Jane Hamlett called ‘Living Away From Home: Life in some of Surrey’s Victorian and Edwardian residential institutions’ will examine Surrey’s residential institutions for the mentally ill, the poor, the sick, and the old and infirm during the Victorian and Edwardian periods aims to demonstrate that the everyday problems faced by people then and now are not so very different.

One such institution looked at in the exhibition is the Holloway Sanatorium (pictured left), and you can learn all about how it was organised, what it looked like, and better understand the feelings and experiences of those living in this sort of accommodation. Particular attention is paid to how the interior decoration of such residences affected those living there. It details individual stories as well as presenting the viewer with the patients’ or residents’ collective experience. Dr. Hamlett stated: “Clearly there are many differences between the Victorian and Edwardian periods and the present day – in institutional provision as elsewhere in society…But we’ve found that some concerns, such as the need for some personal space and rest, could be universal and shared over time.”

The exhibition will be held at the Surrey History Centre until January 28.

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To celebrate The Orbital’s 25th birthday this year, we’re printing some pages from our archive in each edition. We even matched up the page numbers!

This spread is from the February 2008 issue.

IN YOUR Living London

VIEW

Sarah Honeycombe

“I had a meeting in London in early September just off Trafalgar. This is my favourite spot in the entire world.

I took this shot so that on bad days I could remind myself that just a few minutes away I have this. It’s easy to miss London when living in Egham.”

Please send in any photo submissions you have to regulars@theorbital. co.uk with the subject line as “In Your View”.

IN YOUR

VIEW

Branches Jamie Bellinger “I took this shot while out walking in the countryside near Freshford, Wiltshire. The sun was lighting the clouds behind the tree, creating a nice silhouette effect. I added a black & white effect and boosted the contrast, to add to the silhouette effect.”

Please send in any photo submissions you have to regulars@theorbital. co.uk with the subject line as “In Your View”.

REGULARS

Snow

The science of...

Our resident scientist, Chris Pull, explains the science behind this winter phenomena.

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“

et it snow, let it snow, let it snow!” Or not.

Alas, this Christmas was not the white one the innerchild inside us all was hoping for.

However, as the past few years have shown us, it doesn’t need to be Christmas for it to snow.

It seems that we have had more snow in January-March in the last few years than we have had before and during the holidays. Snow after Christmas, however, is just plain annoying. Last year, on a trip from Egham to Staines it took me an hour and forty minutes to get from Campus to the Egham roundabout, at which point I gave up and got the train instead, resulting in me being about two hours late for work. Saying that, we all love a good snow fight, and, as it’s Holloway, a chance to wear our Hunter’s wellies sincerely.

Founder’s is magnificent when covered in snow, and its sur26

rounding woodlands are more like a scene from Narnia than a university campus. I guess snow is a bit like marmite then.

But what exactly is snow?

As you might have guessed, snow is basically frozen water or a type of crystal ice. Usually rain droplets are formed when atmospheric water condenses onto dust particles in the sky, known as condensation nuclei. Water vapour ‘gives away’ thermal energy as it condenses, and so needs a surface on which to transfer this to. In the same manner, snow forms when lots of cloud droplets condense onto an ice crystal or speck of dust. If the temperature in the atmosphere is cold enough, (0°C and under) these will then freeze and form snow crystals. Incidentally, if only a portion of the cloud is below freezing and there are strong updrafts (winds moving

vertically), then hail can form.

Eventually, as the snow crystals continue to grow, gravity plays its role and causes the crystals to fall from the cloud and towards the surface of the Earth. As the snow crystal falls, more can join it as they bump into each other, creating the large clusters of snow we see falling as snowflakes around us. Snow is white because it reflects all visible light, due to the many facets of the ice crystals. You can think of it like the opposite of a prism, which causes white light to refract into different coloured wavelengths. As the thickness of the snow increases, more red wavelengths are absorbed than blue, which makes snow appear blue the deeper you look through.

This is why on programs like Frozen Planet, glaciers and thick snow sheets have a blue-ish tinge to them.

As we all know, snowflakes THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

o

The science of...

Photo: rubyblossom (Flickr)

are each “unique” in their structure and no two are ever the same. This is due to variations in conditions during their formation, mainly temperature and humidity.

Between -8°C and -22°C gives the typically star-like formation that we are familiar with. However, above and below this temperature range, they can form needle or column-like shapes, or thin, flat crystals. In addition, the type of nuclei on which the original snowflake formed will also influence its shape and cause irregularities. As the snowflake falls and becomes larger, the effects of humidity and temperature will alter in what way new ice crystals are added, so the shape may change constantly. In the same way that humans are not really that unique or different from one another (regardless of how many times you are told you are special), there are actually such things as matching regulars@theorbital.co.uk

snowflakes. The quest to find matching snowflakes was started in 1885, by Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley, who was the first person to perfect a technique of capturing what he called “tiny miracles of beauty”. Thanks to his work, surmounting over 5000 images of snowflakes, we now know of the vast shapes and forms they can take. Matching snowflakes were first found in 1988 and in terms of probability, it is much more likely to find matching snowflakes than for there to have never, ever been an identical pair. The largest snowflake to have ever formed was 38cm in diameter!

However, more often than not, snow forms but melts or evaporates before it reaches the ground due to the rise in temperature as you decrease in altitude (about 2°C per 300m). The temperature of the atmosphere must be below freezing all the way down to Earth to prevent the snow from melting. Likewise, the ground on which it falls must be below zero in temperature in order for the snow to settle. Funnily enough, it can also be too cold for snow to form. On bitterly cold days, the atmosphere holds less water vapour and so can be considered too ‘dry’ for the crystals to even form in the clouds. Once on the ground, snow, due to being made up of ice crystals, is granular in form (in the same way as sugar crystals) and this results in a powdery, fluffy texture. However, on the ground the snow will begin a process of melting and re-freezing (usually due to daynight cycles) that will causes the snow to become very compact and more like a layer of ice, which is termed a ‘snow pack’ and will result in you falling over when you walk on it. A lot.

Because a snowpack is so dense, it keeps the temperature at the core below freezing, and any

solar energy goes into melting the snow, rather than increasing its temperature. As well, snow has an exceptionally high ‘albedo’ (a term to describe a surfaces reflectiveness; not to be confused with ‘libido’, which sounds similar) meaning most of the solar energy is reflected away from the snow, thus reducing its temperature further and prolonging its lifespan. Indeed, if the snow can remain for successional years, it can form a glacier as seen in the polar regions of the Earth. You can get rid of snow and ice by adding Sodium Chloride, AKA salt. The salt doesn’t actually react with the snow or ice as many people believe, but rather it interacts with any of that snow that has already melted. Ice and snow will always have a very fine layer of water on top of them, due to the natural melting and refreezing mentioned earlier. The salt will dissolve into the water, and reduce its freezing point.

The rate of snow melting will continue, but refreezing will not occur, thus eventually if enough salt is applied, the snow will all melt into water.

The most amount of snow to ever fall in one winter was in 1998, near Bellingham, Washington, where 94 feet of snow fell.

The largest amount of snowfall in any one 24 hour period was in Silver Lake, Colorado, where 5.58 feet of snow was measured on the ground. The single largest recorded ice crystal to fall to Earth was found in Scotland in 1894 and was 6m (20ft) wide! Interestingly, at very high altitudes on Mars, a form of light snow is also known to occur. So, whether you are fan of the white stuff or praying that this year Jack Frost gives Surrey a miss, when inevitably it does snow again, now at least you’ll know how it was made, where it has come from and why it’s white!

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REGULARS

Photo: photosteve101 (Flickr)

Agony Aunt Our resident Agony Aunt, Hannah Graveling, has the answers to all of your problems...

Dear Auntie Hannah, I am invited to a football game but I don’t want to go with this guy. I need an excuse to get out of it. What should I say?

- Milly x Well Milly, This really depends on the situation. Bear in mind that telling him that you only have two weeks to live and want to spend it with your family backfires when you have to perform a disappearing act at that time.

Better to tell him that you’re allergic to men in tight shorts.

He’ll understand x Dear Auntie Hannah, How often should I vacuum my carpet?

-Ben x

Well Ben, I clean mine at least four times a day or any time I see a speck of dust or, god-forbid, a hair. Any less than this leads to a filthy carpet and disgrace when your mother visits.

Beware. x Dear Auntie Hannah, What is a good conversation starter with a boy I’ve never spoken to? He’s really attractive and I want to talk to him but not seem like I’m trying too hard. Are there any good tricks?

-Debbie x Well Debbie, There are many easy ways of interacting with the opposite sex. Try bumping into him ‘accidentally’, the harder the better because you can spend longer apologizing and flattering him until the ambulance arrives. Alternatively, you could start having something interesting with you when you see him, like a new fountain pen, or a gazelle, that he may comment on accordingly.

Enjoy x 28

Dear Auntie Hannah, I’m from Mississippi. I’m 18 and my boyfriend is 24.

I’ve known him since he was 16 and we always had a close relationship. My mom and sister don’t approve of him though. What should I do?

-Clarissa x Well Clarissa, I would suggest you get him cryogenically frozen for 4 years until you are 22. Then with the difference in maturity between men and women you should be on a par and your family will be overjoyed. Side effects include blue skin and vacant expression.

Have fun aging x Dear Auntie Hannah, My friend Nicola asked me to ask you the following: “Auntie Hannah, I really need your help. My boyfriend and I have been going out for nearly two months now, and he still hasn’t proposed. I have felt ready for about 7 weeks now, and am getting a bit desperate.

What is stopping him, and what do I need to do to get him to propose? I hate to be the girl to break up with someone else just because they failed to propose, but it is looking that way. Please help.”

-Anonymous x Well Nicola’s “friend”, Have you tried dropping subtle hints, like taking him ring shopping or saying ‘I Do!’ when he goes down to tie his shoelaces? Men respond very well to this kind of subtle training. If he still doesn’t take the hint, it’s time to get yourself pregnant. Then he’ll have to do the right thing.

Good luck with your new husband and baby x

Submit your questions on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/AskAuntie-Hannah/297885750232702 or email your query to: regulars@theorbital.co.uk THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

Bar blog

o

Medicine Manager, Danny Taylor, gives you the heads up on our much loved bar at the bottom of the not so much loved hill.

Bar Blog

Photo: Julian Farmer

A

s I sit in the calm, early January, pre-term bliss, I struggle to know what to write knowing my wise words won’t be read, or more likely ignored, until nearly February. It’s too late for any of that Happy New Year gubbins, that’s old news now- so 2011.

In fact, we are well on the way to planning the Summer Ball!

It’sthe only light at the end of a dark essay/assignment/ dissertation tunnel but it is approaching as fast as the gale like the winds attempting to uproot the umbrellas in the beer garden. Pimm’s anyone!?

The upcoming Olympics will be taking over the majority of campus within seconds of the end of term. The SU main building will be showing multiple sports simultane-

ously throughout the Games on a multitude of big screens and plasmas. Lots of options!

Medicine will be handed over to the Olympic types to do what they will. What do international calibre rowers do to unwind? Boggle? Yahtzee?

Russian Roulette?

Two things we doing differently in 2012 are pizzas and BASS! Medicine is now selling 12-inch pizzas everyday for the reasonable price of £7. The SU Tech crew, led by Mr. Karl, installed a hard, hard bassmaster through the power of cement bunkers, which has increased the bass in the main hall by not far off 40%! ‘Boom!

Boom!’, some might say… well Basil Brush would. If you don’t know who Basil Brush is, hang your head in shame and then

Google him. Legend! Fact.

We hope you have enjoyed the mini-events we have put on through January: Pool Competitions, Poker Nights, Xbox Nights, Movie Nights, Slave & Date Auctions, Chinese New Year Celebrations and all the rest….. If you missed out, don’t worry! There is plenty more to come; you don’t have to get trolleyed to have a laugh in Medicine, you know! Finally, the next wave of recruitment for SU staff is happening very soon, so get involved. You get to work with me! Amazing! Welcome back, and good luck to all of you with everything the next term throws your way.

Cheers, Danny.

Mmm, freebies...

9pm-2am

9pm-2am

Free entry with this voucher

Free entry with this voucher

regulars@theorbital.co.uk

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µGig Review The Cure

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Editor: Rana Banna reviews@theorbital.co.uk

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Film Reviews: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo & The Artist

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Musical: Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre, London.

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Write for us: All you have to do is get in contact and pitch an idea, or even come along to one of our regular writers’ meetings.

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4 Gig 4 Music 4 Film4 Book 4 Musical4 Comedy

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Photo: joshc (Flickr)

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he Cure’s recording of their headlining performance at Bestival in 2011. The twoand-a-half-hour set features 32 songs which range from their debut album right through to their last release with the exception of ‘Bloodflowers’, and ‘Wild Mood Swings’.

Through the setlist, The Cure craftily tell a story which opens with a sense of bleakness, moving to an optimistic tone before ending in heartbreak.

Standout performances from the set include ‘A Night Like This’, ‘The End of the World’, ‘Lovesong’ and ‘Just Like Heaven’.

All-time fan favourite song ‘A Forest’ perfectly highlights the unsettling and dark signature style of the band.

Even after over three decades since the band’s inception each song is executed with pinpoint precision where the irresistible bassline of ‘Lovecats’ as well as

the string picking of ‘In Between Days’ are brought to the forefront.

In its encore, Smith goes allout and delivers heart-pounding renditions of ‘Why Can’t I Be You?’, ‘Lets Go To Bed’, ‘Lullaby’ and ‘Lovecats’. Throughout, the crowd very much act as the fifth member of the band, however, this only emphasises the feeling of missing the physical presence of the performance and everything that comes with it.

Live at Bestival 2011 , The Cure’s first live release since 1993’s Paris and Show is a must have album for both hardcore fans and those hoping to expand their catalogue of the band’s work.

All profits from sales of the live album will be donated to the Isle Of Wight Youth Trust (a charitable organisation which offers support services to young people). Alisha Wadiwalla

THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

New Music coming your way...

Music

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Playlist #6 µWhat you can expect to hear over and over again this month Domino Jessie J Kiss The Stars Pixie Lott

a hint iserchiefs feel and Dexters: With a Ke ndon Lo st Ea rs, ita thm gu of 90’s Britpop rhy chaos and of rit spi the o ech band Dexters to Run’, ergetic tune ‘Start misrule in their en popa d an s rful vocal dominated by powe art to Run’ for ‘St d loa wn Do l. punk dancey fee rsband .facebook.com/dexte free at http://www

Dry the River: London based alternativefolk band open their single ‘New Ceremony ’ with acoustic guitars before gently unfoldin g into warm electric riff s aided by smooth strings. A truly touchi ng and soothing ballad .

‘New Ceremony’ is ava ilable on iTunes and YouTube.

Dedication To My Ex (Miss That) Lloyd Stronger Kelly Clarkson Born To Die Lana Del Rey Home Again Michael Kiwanuka Breakn’ A Sweat Skrillex & The Doors Mama Do The Hump Rizzle Kicks Titanium (ft. Sia) David Guetta

Fixtures: Lovesick lyrics emb ellish Fixtures’ new single with powerful rhyt hm guitars, which create a melancholic and yet equally touching feel to this song. List en to Fixtures’ new single on Facebook: http://www. facebook.com/Fixturesofficial?r ef=ts&sk=a pp_204974879526524

Red Kite: Nostalgic and apologetic lyrics recreate a story of two lost lovers who reminisce on their turbulent past. Red Kite’s single ‘Montreal’ reunites the young couple with its build-up chorus full of meaning, turning it into a truly vibrant and electric love song.

Download ‘Montreal’ for free on Bandcamp, or listen on Facebook: http://www.facebook. com/RedKiteBand?sk=app_178091127385

Drunk Ed Sheeran International Love (ft. Chris Brown) Pitbull Antidote Swedish House Mafia Vs. Knife Party Love On Top Beyoncé Paradise Coldplay Good Feeling Flo Rida

ndon Indie band from Lo Various Cruelties: ir anticithe th wi gh ou thr are about to break in e Great Unknown’ pated first album ‘Th gle ‘Chemicals’, sin e tiv dic ad eir spring 2012. Th sical raling, twisting mu draws you into a spi d bass an r ita gu syncopated voyage filled with s. Watch oru ch ty gh mi l lines and a beautifu om w.variouscruelties.c ‘Chemicals’ on ww

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Tongue Tide: Newly formed mat h rock quartet from Bath manage to merge a mixture of alternative/indie melodies as well as jazz tunes into their first single ‘Slee pwalk’. Ecstatic drum beats sync with jazzy guit ar riffs punctuated along with mellow bass line s suddenly break into an echoing chorus cradled by deep, warm vocals. ‘Sleepwalk’ is on Facebook or Bandcamp at http://tonguetid euk.bandcamp. com/track/sleepwalk

In The End Snow Patrol Levels Avicii Never Be A Right Time Professor Green

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REVIEWS µFilm Review The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

David Fincher’s Hollywood’s adaptation of Larsson’s best-selling crime novel makes for a sleeker, sexier and grittier affair than its Swedish predecessor.

Even its opening credit sequence, an amorphous collage of nightmarish images (soundtracked by Trent Reznor and Karen O’s cover of Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song) sow the seeds of darkness which come into bloom as the film progresses.

Daniel Craig gives a commendable performance as Mikael Blomkvist, the investigative journalist in Stockholm whom is called upon to solve the disappearance of an industrial’s niece

with the aid of troubled hacker, Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara). The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is a tense, unsettling, and finely honed thriller where its Nordic setting isn’t the only cold and cruel thing on offer. Add the uncovering of family secrets, deviant serial killings, critique of society’s moral numbness, alongside Nazi sympathisers and you realise you’re in for a film with plenty of action and attitude.

Without a doubt, Rooney Mara’s powerhouse of a performance steals the show. As Lisbeth Salander, one of the greatest fictional characters in recent times, she is absolutely lethal; a heroine, anti-hero and femme fatale all rolled into

one dragon-tattooed and leather-clad figure.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is a poignant yet engrossing watch even if it runs for over two and a half hours. Its brilliance is nothing less than what you’d expect from the director of neo-noirs such as Fight Club, Se7en and Zodiac.

Fincher’s adaptation is bleak, brutal, twisted and dark... and everything that fans of the trilogy could ever want. With subtitles no longer holding you back from watching this high-powered and stylish thriller there’s all the more reason to plan for a film night-out! Popcorn anyone?! Alisha Wadiwalla

µFilm Review The Artist The Artist, first released at the 2011 Cannes film festival, is a refreshingly emotional and stylistic film. Set in late 1920’s Hollywood it tells the story of George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), a legendary silent film actor and Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), an up and coming actress in a world that has become enamoured with “Talkies” – films with spoken word – allowing silent films to become all but forgotten.

The story begins with Valentin, at the height of his career, attending the premier of his latest film “A Russian Affair”, where through chance he ends up being photographed with Miller by paparazzi. He later offers her a role in his latest film after discovering her natural dancing ability and her career takes off.

Two years later, the silent film industry is all but dead, sending Valentin into obscurity. He invests himself entirely in making one more silent film, but when that ends in disaster he loses everything and descends into a dark and debilitating depression. The remainder of the film tells the story of him coping with his fall from stardom and Miller’s continual attempts to save him from himself.

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The film itself is homage to the silent films of old, shot entirely in black and white and with almost no spoken words except for in the final scene. This said however, the film still looks very contemporary and cleanly shot due to the more modern use of camera angles and lighting styles. The lack of dialogue provides an excellent opportunity to tell a story through actions and music alone, an opportunity which the actors live up to amazingly. It’s rare to watch a film where you can relate so closely to the characters but The Artist manages to grip you, drag you through fame, depression and despair, and keep hold until the final heart-warming scene.

In an age where the film industry is dominated by vapid romantic comedies and tediously repetitive action films, it takes a talented and brave man to write something as different as The Artist.

Luckily director Michel Hazanavicius is that man and the end result is nothing short of a masterpiece.

So if you only see one film this year make sure it’s this one. I promise you that it’ll be a long, long time before we see another film of this stature. Jamie Robinson THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

Book

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µBook Review The Time of Singing If one is looking for a good read on strong human relationships then Elizabeth Chadwick’s The Time of Singing is the perfect choice. The book is based on the true story of a royal mistress and a knight in search of his true inheritance.

Set against the backdrop of the Henry II’s reign 12th century England, where the country is divided by civil war. Roger Bigod, heir to the Earldom of Norfolk, arrives at court of King Henry II in search of inheritance.

There he meets Ida de Tosney, Henry’s beloved mistress and young mother of Henry’s son, there is an instant attraction between them but both hold their feelings back as they are bound by their duties, Roger to his fight for his rightful inheritance and Ida to Henry and her young son. Despite being Henry’s mistress Ida see’s in Roger a chance of lasting security in the fickle dazzle of the court, but being with

him comes at a high price for her. Both marry and as Roger starts building his family’s fortunes, Ida locks away her past and starts a new with Roger but deep down she can never forget her past.

Against a volatile background Roger and Ida strive to build their future knowing it can be snatched away from them by the whim of the kings.

And as Roger climbs up the ranks of the Angevin government it puts an increasing strain on their marriage which Ida tries her level best to cope with.

The best thing about Chadwick’s novel is the relationship between Ida and Roger. Roger’s acceptance on Ida despite her being Henry’s mistress and the love that develops between them through the course of the book.

Both marry each other out of necessity and a strong attraction towards each other but it turns into something very deep and profound. The way Chadwick depicts the married life between Ida and Roger is very real and the reader

lives it through both these characters.

Their insecurities, arguments and misunderstandings pave the way of how most marriages work no matter which century a person is living in, the book has a very domestic focus for the reader.

The book also focuses on medieval history and life at court where friends turned into foes very quickly and how cutthroat people were at that time in order to win the favor of the king. The court is held together by a complex web of kinship, power, deceit and lordship. Another thing I loved about the book was how Chadwick shows a very unglamorous side of Henry II as a man is always able to twist situations to his suiting giving him the upper hand all the time. It doesn’t matter to him how unfair he is as long as he get what he wants at the end of the day.

Students interested in medieval history or historical characters will find this a very intriguing read as it showcases the life of Roger Bigod and Ida de Tosney, 2 figures that most people aren’t really aware of yet who played significant roles in not only Henry II’s reign but also the reign of Richard I (Lionheart) and the beginning of King John’s. In all it’s a very engaging and enthralling read. Hiba Batool

Photo: laenulfean (Flickr)

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Photo: Royal Shakespeare Company

Royal Katy Donnelly tells us all about the duction of a Shakespeare Company’s current pro childhood classic in the West End...

Many of us grew up Roald Dahl’s dysfunctional tales, and Matilda the Musical encapsulates the dark comedy of his books perfectly. Following the tale of a young prodigy, who is verbally abused by almost everyone around her, doesn’t sound like the happiest of evenings but Dan Kelly and Tim Minchin’s combined genius will have you in stitches. The music effortlessly complements the story, and Minchin’s trademark lyrical wit and observational humour shines through in every number, with the help of a ridiculously talented cast.

The enthusiasm of the schoolchildren is infectious, and the most serious amongst us would struggle not to laugh at some of the more lowbrow humour courtesy of Bruce Bogtrotter. Often the younger members of the cast outperform the “big kids” and nobody more so than Matilda herself. Played each night by one of four young girls, Matilda not only has some of the best songs in the show (“Quiet” is beautifully clever, and “Naughty” will undoubtedly appeal to English Lit students everywhere) but also holds her own against the more experienced in the cast.

However, despite the undeniable charm of the kids it is undeniably Miss Trunchbull that steals the show time and time again. The delightfully awful headmistress is almost every schoolchild’s worst nightmare, but equally manages to pull off the witty and intelligent lyrics, which is no mean feat given

Minchin’s extensive vocabulary.

The staging of the show itself is particularly clever, although somewhat blinding on occasion for those in the cheap seats, but the relatively small theatre is used to full effect with cast members regularly cropping up throughout the theatre. The whole show is an interactive experience, and thankfully only rarely veers into pantomime territory. The character of Lavender is just on the right side of nauseous and the feeble Russian accents are only present for a mercifully short time.

These minor shortcomings are more than made up for by the undeniable wit of the writers, the passion and talent of the young cast, and more than a touch of Dahl’s light-hearted nastiness.

The show may appear to be aimed at children, given the original target audience; however the whole show is perfectly pitched at all ages.

From newts in knickers and fart jokes for six year olds and frat boys alike, to Matilda’s insightful solos and the literary allegories for the elder members of the audience, this is one of the few shows currently on the West End that really does have something for everyone.

Matilda is showing until October 21 2012 at the Cambridge Theatre, London. For more information and ticket bookings, visit www.matildathemusical.com 34

THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

Comedy / Music

o Photo: Julian Farmer (The Orbital)

µComedy Review Russell Howard: Right Here, Right Now

Sitting in the colossal O2 area, halfway up the stands towards to back and about as far from the stage as possible, I could not help but think that more intimate gigs are better; the type small enough that you might meet the act whilst grabbing a beer during the interval… you would stand a better chance of finding Wally here than Russell in a crowd. But as the lights go down and the cheering erupts, the atmosphere is alive and contagious, and what is miraculous about this venue, is that despite its size, you still feel like you right in front of that stage looking directly into the strangely attractive, lazy-eyed Bristolian (who himself argues: ‘But how can my eye be lazy, when he wanders so freely?’)…

A comedian for all ages, Russell brings the topical comedy of his BBC Three show ‘Good News’ along with plenty of hilarious stories from his truly magnificently mad family, and

not forgetting his dog. Ranging from childhood memories of ‘burglar wanks’ to publicly punching his brother in the face whilst he’s in a wheelchair screaming ‘what’s wrong with you’, it genuinely was a non-stop laughter show for several hours, as to be expected. His varied length story-telling style is effective and appropriate for anyone unfamiliar with the stand-up; he could almost be a fifth Inbetweener with his array of extremely cringe-worthy anecdotes. Russell’s comedy is not focused so much on wit as those brilliant real-life observations and occurrences, and although not vulgar to the extent of Frankie Boyle, it is daring enough to say that anyone easily offended by swearing or sexual references should most definitely avoid this.

A bonus his regular fans will be excited about, was that the onstage appearance of the infamous Howard brother, though

not naked or with marbles up his bum, which is how most of us would recognise him. Further highlights include, *SPOILER ALERT* the revelation that Russell has been wearing a pink thong all evening... which also means he did so for every night of his tour for several months! Now, that is serious commitment.

Although the live show has now concluded, the Right Here, Right Now DVD of this tour is currently in shops, so if you missed out on the live experience, I would definitely recommend it. As a regular attendee of comedy shows, I can say this was the best I have been too; whereas other comedians tend to repeat old jokes from panel shows and interviews, this features completely fresh material. So for students who need a stress-relieving laugh, following the traumatising stress of deadlines, a couple of hours watching Russ is just what the doctor ordered. Rebecca Thair

herself, is perhaps irrelevant, and, as cliched as it sounds, we should give her music the chance to speak for itself.

In an interview with faceculture.com, Lana Del Rey revealed that she gets most of her inspiration at home, in New York, and the most prominent theme in any of her songs is ‘honoring love, even when it is lost’. This theme, appearing particularly clear in the lyrics and video of Born to Die. When Lana refashioned her name and eventually broke through the scene, she was considered an internet phenomenon on youtube, managing an impressive amount of views for her homemade music video ‘Videogames’.

She later revealed that the clips selected for the music video where chosen for no particular reason, other than the fact that she liked the featured images of Château Marmont, and enjoyed how the clips looked together.

Lana Del Rey has a demure approach to herself. In interviews she is as well spoken yet jittery, reflected in her live performances...though it may sometimes seem as if she lets her nerves get in the way of her singing, its precisely what which seems to be the alluring part of her persona. A vixen with some sort of child-like confusion.

Other than her overall image of floral headpieces, press on nails, long lashes and red hair accompanied by relatable lyrics and a unique singing voice, there is a sense of tragedy about her that makes her so appealing. So even if the rumors are true and she is the commercialised product of a music label in disguise, you can’t deny feeling a sense of intrigue.

Lana Del Rey’s debut album will be released this month, my advice, don’t listen to the rumours, and see for yourself what you think! Michaella Kossakowski

µMusic Review Lana Del Rey Self- described ‘gangsta Nancy Sinatra’ Lana Del Rey, is said to be 2011’s greatest gift to music. She has the vocals, the lyrics, and the quirky looks to make her a mega star, infused with that subdued indie vibe that has been coveted but unsuccessfully sought by many current musicians.

New Yorker Elizabeth Grant (we all know her by her stage name Lana del Rey) originally wanted to perform in a band, but her manager and label were convinced she was better performing as a solo artist. This, and her previous break into the music industry under her real name, encouraged rumors that she was in fact a sell out. Adding to these beliefs, there was talk of cosmetic surgery done to her lips.. Whether or not these rumors are all true and Elizabeth Grant was produced into Lana Del Rey on the whim of a music label, or whether it really just is a stage name selected by the artist reviews@theorbital.co.uk

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new year

Warm up the

Editor: Elinor Gittins lifestyle@theorbital.co.uk

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Dalia Filippi returns with a flashy new look

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Istanbul: A city than can enchant anyone...

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Listings: Events on and off campus for the next three weeks.

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4 Fashion 4 Make Up 4 Travel 4 Listings 4 Food

More comments on fashion trends at Royal Holloway.

W

inter is cold enough, let’s warm it up and splash some flashy colours on our faces!

Firstly, be sure to pick different shades of similar colours; avoid using green on the eyes and orange on the lips for example.

I chose pink, purple and orange. The idea is simple: just creater a smoky eye effect and tone it down with eye

liner. Try to create a winged effect at the end.

Apply a lot of black pencil on the water line and lots of black mascara.

Remember to use a moisturizing foundation and some blush on the apples of your cheeks to erase the palor.

Final tip: use matte and flashy colours on your lips. Your lips must be completely moisturized or you will see the cracks – not a pretty sight!

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THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

What on Earth next?

What on earth next?

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4Simon Rawlings has only one wish this christmas...

F

irst and foremost, Happy New Year! I hope you have all had a better Christmas break than I have.

Throughout the holiday I have been left sleepless, scared and tormented by fashion tragedies I have witnessed on campus in the final weeks of term. Two particular crimes against fashion have caught my eye and I feel it is only right I address them.

First, I regularly spotted one of the most peculiar ideas for a fashion accessory that I have ever come across in the whole nineteen years I have been alive. Spectacle frames that are missing their lens... I feel that it is my duty to Royal Holloway to address the misconception that a few on campus hold, regarding the purpose of glasses. My iPhone dictionary informs me that glasses are ‘a device used to compensate for

lifestyle@theorbital.co.uk

defective vision consisting of two glass or plastic lenses set in a frame’. Why on earth then, are these people wearing glasses if they don’t require them to see?

I don’t wear my pair of Ray-Bans because they look sleek, stylish and suave, I wear them because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to see much further than a few various ‘chilets’ which in itself is a curse. The designer frames that hold the lens that help me to see, merely soften the blow of having to wear glasses at all. What next, I wonder, will students start to use as accessories? Will faux leg casts, bandages and slings be used to add colour to outfits regardless of a broken bone or wound? I hope not, if not for the sake of fashion, at least for the sake of my own sanity.

Secondly, on many cold nights during this winter holiday I sat

with a marred mind trying to find an excuse for those of us who I have spotted wearing real fur in an array of forms. After many hours of deliberation, the only excuse I could find was this: if your name is either Lucy, Edmund, Susan or Peter and you happen to venture into the land of Narnia I might find it acceptable for you to borrow a coat from a certain magical wardrobe. However, if you don’t fit into this criterion, I suggest you swiftly cover yourself in red paint and hang your head in shame...

The best solution I can offer to these crimes against fashion is to firstly snap those frames in half (unless you actually do require them to see) and lastly discard any murderous fur you might own (except if you’re a son of Adam or a daughter of Eve).

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The Grand Istanbul S

LIFESTYLE

4Manuela Mitevova writes about the ancient capital turned buzzing metropolis.

eason or off-season, Istanbul’s exotic atmosphere, mixing the old with the new into a magical concoction of mystery glamour, attracts an ever-growing number of tourists. Bridging two continents, Istanbul’s position on both sides of the Bosporus lends it that special something that only cities surrounded by water can possess. The ancient Romans, very much aware of the captivating charm of the place, gave Constantinople its prominence, but it was the Ottoman rule that injected the city with just the right amount of orientalism to turn it into a legend.

Taking time to sightsee is a given here. The first stop is

Photo: S J Pinkney (Flickr)

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often Haghia Sophia, a former Christian cathedral, later converted into a mosque. The marvellous, original mosaics and frescos were previously plastered over by the Ottoman rulers, but have since been uncovered, showing the majestic building in all its beauty and opulence.

While in the religious mode of thought, why not pop into the nearby Blue Mosque, built to rival the grandeur of Sophia.

While in the Old Town, Sultanahmet area, paying a visit to the Topkapi Palace will be worth your while. Although often crowded, it is exquisitely decorated and even has a Harem of over 300 rooms.

After all the sightseeing, retail

therapy - Turkish style - should follow. The bargaining heaven of the Grand Bazaar is the perfect place to stock up on souvenirs.

Aside from the fake goods, the Bazaar is still a paradise filled with carpets, ceramics, gold, and much more. If the 5000 vendors there weren’t enough for you, head to the Spice Bazaar; situated near the New Mosque and fronted by a pigeon occupied plaza, this is the place for all food lovers. Selling a bewildering variety of spices, sweets, nuts and ready-made foods, stocking up on freshground coffee, Lokum (Turkish delight) or Baklava is the best investment you can make here.

Even at the end of a long day, there is still a quintessentially Turkish activity you can treat yourself to: Hamam, the traditional Turkish baths, offer some serious pampering the oriental way. With all Istanbul has to offer, no wonder it thrives.

THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

Travel

Bars in Beirut A 4Beatrice Galloway recommends a visit to Lebanon to anyone with a party spirit and a geographical curiosity.

fter a four hour flight from Brussels, I finally landed in Beirut. Once I got past the initial chaos of the crazy Lebanese drivers (and their incessant honking), I realised that this is a perfect place for students. Hamra, located in the city centre, is the student hub.

Loaded with various bars, cafés and restaurants, everything you want is within arm’s reach.

Most of the bars I visited all possess the same, laid-back quality. A great place is the appropriately named ‘Alleyway’, which is a small road with a load of bars alongside each other.

Around town, there are many traditional Lebanese shops. One of my personal favourite, House on Mars, is where you can buy Shirwals (traditional Lebanese trousers).

Out of the city, the mountains are definitely worth a visit.

Remnants of old palaces can be seen in the north, as well as the magnificent Lebanese

Cedar trees. The Jeita grotto is stunning, almost voted one of the “new” Seven Wonders of the World (you geographers out there would enjoy this).

If you visit the south, you should pass by the Hezbollah resistance museum in Mlita.

Although it does not have many details about Lebanon’s wars, it has breath-taking views of the surrounding mountains. A place that I would highly recommend is the ruins of Chateau-Beaufort, from which the Israeli border can be seen. If, on the other hand, mountains are not your thing, the town of Byblos is definitely worth visiting. Very small and picturesque, it has a cheap market with lots of Lebanese trinkets.

I would definitely recommend travelling to Beirut as a student.

Yes, you may have to save up a bit of money, but these Lebanese will definitely show you a good time; they sure know how to party.

W A N T T O W R I T E F O R L I F E S T Y L E ?

Photo: david55king (Flickr)

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It’s okay but don’t be a dick about it!

‘With great writing comes great responsibility’ says Bethan Sullivan.

In other words, we should restrain ourselves from making cheap remarks at other people through the medium of Photo: Caramello (Flickr) writing.

Yes I know, this article may seem a little hypocritical as I am indeed having a go at the people having a go but what I wanted to ask is, why do you feel the need to put people down?

You see it everywhere: YouTube comments, Facebook statuses and unnecessary contributions to Uni magazines, all with the same purpose, to belittle, to undermine and to do it without really explaining why is pisses you off so much. Honestly and truly, does it make you erupt into boils when you see someone acting or dressing in a mildly unusual way?

Because if I see someone that makes my skin crawl, I’ll simply stop talking to them, problem solved. What I wouldn’t find myself doing is thinking, ‘that experience was so mind numbingly awful, I instantly need to inform everyone about it by writing and posting about it’. Calm down guys, you’re all going to give yourselves high blood pressure.

Of course, I’m not saying that one shouldn’t write about something they feel passionate about. Freedom of speech is one of our country’s greatest attributes.

We need it to fight for justice within our communities, to battle racism, sexism, class prejudices, etc. But if I see that Justin Bieber has more views than ANYTHING else on the web, or that some girl wears her clothes inside out as a symbol for fascism or whatever, I’ll ponder in my noggin, ‘hmm, that’s odd, wonder why that’s happening’.

And go about my business.

I saw a youtube song the other day that rather perfectly encapsulates what I’m trying to say here: “It’s okay to not like things. It’s okay, but don’t be a dick about it”. www.youtu.be/0la5DBtOVNI IMSOANGRYABOUTEVERYTHINGGARRRR BLARG

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LIFESTYLE

January-February

9 Nov - 5 Feb

Matilda The Musical The Cambridge Theatre, London

highlights

Watch a childhood classic by Dahl, performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. This is showing until October, but tickets are selling fast so get in there fast!

Book online at www. matildathemusical.com or phone 0844 412 4652. Performances every day apart from Monday. from £20

Photo: Royal Shakespeare Company

Photo: ligh

Week #1 Annie Leibovitz: Pilgrimage, until 20 Jan, Hamiltons, London

It’s been in London for a while, but the American photographer’s exhibition is definitely worth a visit. Following her financial crisis, Leibovitz packed a camera, took her three children and started the car for a ‘pilgrimage’ around the U.S. and London.

She visited all the people and related places that influenced her throughout her life. In the collection of 28 photos, there is one o of Freud’s couch and of the gloves and hat that Lincoln wore on his

last night alive. Her journey was first made into a book, but now the photos are there for you to visit.

FREE

Chihuly, until 28 Feb, Halcyon Gallery, Bond Street, London

An exhibition by Dale Chihuly who has created incredible installations of glowing glass forms.

Stop by and marvel at chandeliers, sconces and organic assemblages.

Obviously, we won’t be taking note of the price tags on the pieces, but the exhibition is open to anyone. FREE

Week #2

London International Mime Festival 2012, until 29 Jan, London

An annual visual theatre event with more than just mime included. Go to Soho Threat, Southbank Centre, Roundhouse or the Royal Opera house for a selection of masks, acrobatics, circus acts, puppetry, and of course, mime performances. Go to http://www. mimelondon.com for more information.

Varied

The Sex Pistols Experience, 28 Jan, The Boileroom, Guildford Always wanted to try a night out slightly closer to home?

Stop by for the professional tribute act which is sure to be just as controversial as the real thing. The band has travelled the world and made a name for themselves; they’ve now performed over 1000 times. They even received approval from the original Sex Pistols. So, who’s up for a rare chance to hear those classics?

Doors open at 7.30pm. £10

The Stuff of Nightmares Until 26 Feb, V&A Museum of Childhood, London

An exhibition that explores the sinister side of the fairytale.

This is a must-see for anyone craving a bit of darkness.

The gallery has been transformed into a forest based on a Brothers Grimm tale and is filled with sculpture, paintings and canvases. There is also a horrifying collection of gruesome toys. Go to http://www.vam. ac.uk/moc for more information. FREE

Photo: buhsmart (Flickr)

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THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

Listings

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11th February

Until 1 April

4Harry Potter London Tour

htrace (Flickr)

Photo: JamesHarrison (Flickr)

It might be a bit cheesy, but if you’ve already started to miss the anticipation for a new Harry Potter book or film, why not treat yourself to a Potter tour? Visit the film locations and locations that inspired the author. There’s bond to be props and trivia. And 10% of the ticket goes to charity. Booking is essential at http://www.muggletours. co.uk Tuesdays 2.30pm & 6.30pm; Saturday, Sunday 11am £12

Societies, Media and RAG Ball

7pm - 2am, Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel Societies Media & RAG award ceremony, 3 course meal, half a bottle of wine, transport to and from college.

Wristband collection point is Rialto cafe on the 10th Feb 2012 between 11:30-3:30 Coaches leave from the Tennis courts car park @ 7pm sharp. £17.50

Week #3

Lazy Oaf Sale, until 31 Jan, Lazy Oaf, London

War Horse, until 16 Extended Olympic Resolution, until Feb, New London Walk, until March 17 Feb, The Place, Theatre, London 31, London Duke’s Road, Have you already felt An extended walk led London

If you’ve been on the hunt for new year’s bargains, this is another shop to put on the list. Find some great discounts on quirky dresses, amusing t-shirts, and cute accessories.

Check it out on http:// www.lazyoaf.co.uk £Up to you!

the oncoming tears during the trailer of the film? Maybe you’d like to see the theatre version first.

Based on the novel about a horse that’s separated from its master for use during the First World War, any version is sure to bring out those emotions. At the least, the play is worth a viewing because of its impressive horse puppets that need to be operated by three men. £22

by Blue Badge tourist guides around the developing Olympic sites. The walk affords good views of the Athletes’ Village, Velodrome and main sporting venues, plus a chance to learn about the River Lea, the creation of new parklands and the sustainability and legacy plans for the site. Online booking is essential. The meeting point is outside Leyton underground station. http://www. toursof2012sites.com £9, concs £6

Another annual festival of choreography. Check out brand new dancers bringing their talents to the stage.

The choreographies will be covering a wide range of themes from the London riots to love in New York in the 1930s. For more information, look at http://www.theplace. org.uk £11-14

Photo: Suzie Katz (Flickr)

This is where we pick out the cultural highlights on and off campus, ensuring there will always be something for everyone! lifestyle@theorbital.co.uk

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o t r o Sp ocs &S

Editor: Vacant sportandsocs@theorbital.co.uk

A year of sport ahead Photo: botosynthetic (Flickr)

4 Dan Garbutt writes about what 2012 will bring us in sport...

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BALADS: Why you should take up Ballroom and Latin dancing this year...

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Absolute Harmony: Read about what they’ve been up to, and what’s coming up!

It is also important this term to elcome back to the consider how we provide sports second term and Happy for the disabled. The Olympics New Year! Of course, does this with the Paralympics, it is now the most coveted year but on campus the provision is of 2012: the year the Mayans sometimes simply not possible. predicted we would all die fiery However, from what we may lack tragic deaths and the Olympics on campus we can make up for in are set to invade London. It is our community work. Dedicating an exciting year for sport in the time to UK and an “Hosting Olympics athletes community exciting time for sport on offers Holloway and Holloway projects that facilitate campus. This summer, the Sport a unique opportunity to sport for the spotlight really put itself on the map.” disabled is something will be on that should be high on our Holloway as the sporting world agendas. converges on us. Hosting Olympic Finally, March 17th, the athletes in halls offers Holloway highlight of the sporting social and Holloway Sport a unique calendar, College Colours, is opportunity to really put itself on once again going to honour the map. This is why the second the achievements of so many half of BUCS and ULU will be a deserving sports people at Royal time for us to consolidate on our Holloway. Wristbands are now on strong start to the year. The focus sale, available online on the SU may not be on our sports teams website and at the box office in and we may not all be Olympians, the SU building. Buy early to avoid but our passion is no less. Let’s disappointment. show the world what we can do.

WANTED! Adventurous people throughout Royal Holloway to do something like this... pag

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Love Holloway, Hate Racism: Multi-culturalism is the order of the day.

SOURCE: UNICEF UK/Skyline Professional Events Organisers

… For 42

Help UNICEF raise funds by making an exhilarating 10,000 feet free-fall parachute jump.

No experience is required and if you raise the minimum amount of sponsorship you will get to jump for FREE! For more information send an e-mail to rhul.unicef.oncampus@gmail.com or just like our Facebook page @ RHUL UNICEF On Campus and we'll keep you posted!

FREE! THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

Cheerleading.

Cheerleading. A ‘gay’ sport?

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A ‘gay’ sport?

4 Doug German writes about how people view male cheerleaders.

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ast summer I was on Grindr (a gay whether all the boys on cheer are gay, social networking app), chatting and I have to clarify that I am despite to some guy who charmingly the fact that most of the others aren’t. added the tagline “no camp guys” to I wouldn’t want it misconstrued his profile. Though I tend to completely that I have something against camp ignore people who say things that cheer. It’s a sport in which anyone can only disadvantage the gay community participate; we’ve got everyone from (whole other issue there), he opened ballerinas to parkour runners in the with “what’re you up to?” and I felt a team. When you’re on the mat, 30 of glimmer of apprehension at potentially you working to hit every stunt, jump, telling this guy that I was at that tumble and dance move with the moment preparing for cheerleading power, alacrity and timing required nationals at the weekend. to bring home the first place trophy, a This isn’t to say that I was ashamed of good dab of campness and enthusiasm either myself or of my sport. Not to say plants that smile on your face that gives that I don’t dance slightly shamefully to the spirited edge to a performance to Gaga or didn’t show off every practically “and frankly you’re more likely athlete in the explode when squad. to see Tom Cats with arms I saw Beyoncé This is maybe at Glastonbury, covered in bruises than one getting more to but I don’t the point of what holding a pom-pom” particularly I struggle with think of sometimes, the myself as camp. It was only when need I feel to justify that I consider anticipating the normal reaction to “I’m myself an athlete for my sport. Though a cheerleader” that I felt that inward I’m now questioning whether this is just groan of a long explanation (or you because cheer is little understood, or if could say rant) coming along. it’s because the common associations I’m far off being able to count the are with extremely camp men. number of times I’ve had to justify Frankly I’ve encountered enough that cheer is a sport to people, and to people from both camps in my summarise here: when did you last sporting life, if you’ll excuse the pun, to throw another person into the air?. It’s see that alpha, banterous, aggressive funny, but you never really know when and encouraging behaviour can be a person will start to be convinced that spread across every athlete, and competitive cheerleading is a sport, between sports teams you notice that and cheer is a bloody long way from athletes who work hard and commit being a bunch of dumb slutty bimbos are supported by their team in every whose greatest sporting ability is the situation. skill to lift a pom-pom.

This is why I decided that even Cheer is the fastest growing sport in though I’m sure to rant to someone the UK, and frankly you’re more likely about the sporting status of cheer to see Tom Cats with arms covered soon, I’m really beyond caring whether in bruises than one holding a pomI play a ‘gay’ sport and the next guy pom. However, the impression is still who’s too ‘masculine’ to point his damn there and it sometimes seems like toes and make the tumble look sharp is I’m contradicting myself when asked likely to get properly rogered.

Photo: Doug German sportandsocs@theorbital.co.uk

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SPORT & SOCS

BALADS for a new year Photo: BALADS

4Tommaso Covella tells us about what he’s been up to as part of BALADS.

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o you have one of those stereotypical New Year’s resolutions where you promise yourself you’ll exercise more so that when Summer comes along you’ll have a fit body? How many times have you stopped caring by the second week of January? Countless times I bet, always for different but valid reasons: It’s too much effort, it’s no fun, there isn’t anyone to talk to…

The way to stick with your New Year’s resolution is to join Royal Holloway’s Ballroom and Latin American Dancing Society (BALADS).

It’s fun, easy exercise and the members are so nice that it takes only a second to make friends. I joined this year and have already made so many close friends and fun memories that I can’t stop talking about BALADS. I have never danced before or had

any intentions of ever learning. The only reason I went to the first Balads lesson was as a favor to a friend, but I have to admit that I loved every minute of it! At first I was embarrassed, but the Committee, the instructors and the returning members were so nice that it made learning the dance steps a breeze. Now I can happily dance a few different styles; from a delicate waltz to a sexy cha-cha, and from a fast-paced quickstep to a sensual rumba. That’s one of the best parts of BALADS: if you don’t want it to take up too much of your time you can just pop along for the social classes on Thursdays (8.30pm at Kingswood) where we learn basic steps for a lot of different styles.

If you find it really fun and want to get into it more you can attend the competition classes on Mondays

(8.30pm) and Tuesdays (8.00pm) where we learn more complicated routines for a few specific dances. And once you join the competition classes you’ll definitely want to tag along with the BALADS team and compete against other universities’ teams. Not only are these trips extremely fun, but more often than not we have some of our couples on the podium receiving awards.

So why not try BALADS for something new and exciting this year?

Want to get involved?

Visit our website at balads.co.uk or visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/balads. If you’re interested, send an e-mail to surhul_balads@yahoo.co.uk

Voices of Holloway to host UK’s first ever inter-university show choir competition 4Angus Wyatt writes about the upcoming competition at Royal Holloway...

After only one year as a formally ratified society, Voices of Holloway will be hosting and competing in the UK’s first ever inter-university show choir competition right here at Royal Holloway on Saturday 10th March 2012.

The competition is set to be a huge event not just for the choir but also the Students’ Union and Royal Holloway as a whole; with choirs coming from universities all over the UK, this is already an amazing opportunity for Voices of Holloway.

We are also extremely excited and lucky to have an incredible celebrity

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judging trio which will include X Factor, American Idol and Britain’s Got Talent vocal coach Yvie Burnett, and grammy-nominated music producer Nigel Wright. We are still awaiting confirmation of the third judge and show host (although Myleene Klass’ name was mentioned!), but this really will be a day to remember for everyone involved!

As the choirs can only be between 12 and 20 people, we will be holding auditions for our competition choir on Wednesday 18th January at 6pm in the Arts Building (exact location TBC). If you want to audition, all you

need to do is sing a verse and chorus (unaccompanied) of a contemporary song of your choice (start rehearsing!)

There will also be a small, simple choreographed element to the auditions, but don’t worry - everyone will be taught the same bit and our lovely choreographer Anna Jones will be on hand to help make it less daunting for everyone. Non-members are more than welcome to audition, so if you can sing and dance and fancy performing the likes of Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars, then come along - we look forward to seeing everyone there!

THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

Absolute Harmony & Squash

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Absolute Harmony

4Kirstie Ralph discusses what Absolute Harmony’s been up to, and what’s coming up this term!

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bsolute Harmony is Royal Holloway’s one and only a cappella choir which was founded in 1997.

From then we’ve gone from strength to strength!

This year we were delighted with the tremendous interest we received at this year’s Freshers’ Fayre with over 300 sign-ups. September began with a newly elected committee and the auditions for Hardcore Harmony. The talent showcased was incredible, and proves just how talented Absolute Harmony members are!

October saw ‘A Night at the Theatre’ in which Hardcore Harmony performed an elaborate Lady Gaga number! The weeks to follow definitely lived up to the term’s lively beginnings with a fantastic Pub Golf social, volunteering on ‘Make A Difference Day’, a trip to London to see the fantastic Danish a cappella group Vocal Line, Halloween scary-movie night extravaganza, Operation Christmas Child, an ‘Absolutely NO

Clothes!’ theme for ‘Come in Your Socs’, and a wonderfully festive outing to Winter Wonderland.

On Saturday 26th February we were privileged enough to sing in Covent Garden on one of the busiest Christmas shopping days of the year, which was a fantastic experience for everyone involved.

All the hard work which went into the event was beyond worth it, as we were told that we attracted one of the biggest crowds they had seen during the festive season! After this it was back to relentless rehearsals in the run up to our annual Christmas concert joint with RHUL Gospel, in which both choirs performed brilliantly. The Saturday night concert sold out and together we raised over £1,000 for our 5 chosen charities: SADS (Sudden Adult Death Syndrome) UK, Brain Tumour Research, Parkinson’s UK, Help the Hospices and Christian Aid. The last week of term saw Santa’s

Workshop, our Christmas meal, performing at corporate Christmas lunches at John Lewis in Kingston, becoming an RBS endorsed ESSA (The Enterprising Student Societies Accreditation) society and raising £453.94 at Wimbledon Centre Court Shopping Centre for Marie Curie in just 2 hours!

Next term promises to be just as busy and exciting, if not even more so! This term we have the London A Cappella Festival, Absolute Filth, our Easter concerts, more charity fundraising lined up, busking in Staines and Windsor, a photo shoot, and preparations for both the elections at the end of term and our summer tour to Portugal in June 2012. We can’t wait!

If you’re reading this and think we sound fun, come and give us a try! Main Choir rehearse once a week, Mondays 6-8pm. No auditions. Check out the website at www. absoluteharmony.co.uk. Remember - ‘Stay Wise, Harmonise!’

Squash goes from strength to strength 4Laura Grima talks about excellent results, RAG raids and hedonistic socials galore...

Last term was spectacular for the Squash Club here at Royal Holloway! To say our teams performed when it came to matches in both the BUCS and ULU leagues would be an understatement, with the women’s team winning seventy five percent of their games and the men’s teams doing well all-round. Outside of our teams, we have a strong base of regular social players who join us every week for a knock around. At the end of last term, we invited all of our players, be they team or social, to take part in a very successful Doubles Tournament, something we’re definitely going to be doing again soon.

But life in the Squash Club is not limited to what goes on in our courts! Indeed, a really valued and important aspect of the Club is RAG: Raising and Giving. Every year we try and raise as much money as possible for a range of charities, and our skills in doing so were recognised last year at Colours Ball; we were given the RAG Club of the Year award. Despite this sportandsocs@theorbital.co.uk

high bar that’s been set, we want to do even better this year and raise even more money! Just before the end of last term, you might’ve seen a group of Christmas hat adorned students carolling around campus, led by Santa Claus himself (none other than our very own RAG Secretary, Callum Chaplin). We managed to raise £130.11, which was donated to the charity Winston’s Wish. So, keep an eye out around campus- we have many more plans for charity fundraising, including busking and our infamous RAG raids!

Then, of course, there’s the social side of things. As any student who’s a member of a sports club will know, sports socials can be pretty crazy! The Squash Club’s socials last term were some of the best yet (courtesy of our Social Secretary Johnny Chapman) and concluded with an epic Christmas dinner at Loch Fyne. A highlight has to be the prizegiving, with awards given to several members of the club for a range of accomplishments, one

of which was ‘Epic Drunk’- none other than Ollie Lindrup, predominantly for drinking a VK that he’d found in a urinal in the SU...I’m sure he really appreciated the Tesco Value cider we gave him as a prize.

If you’re worried you’ve missed out, have no fear! We still have plenty of great socials coming up, with the Alumni Sports Day and a bowling trip approaching, as well as our RAG events and, of course, the chance to actually play some squash!

We might be into the second term of this year, but it’s never too late to join- we have drop-in sessions twice a week at our Kingswood courts, on Tuesdays from 5 to 8 and Sundays from 3 to 5, and it only costs £3 a session. And if you’d like to join as a full member, even better! If you’d like any more information, just have a gander at our Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/groups/52101290017/ Looking forward to seeing you on the courts!

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SPORT & SOCS

Love Holloway Hate Racism 4Amarbeer Singh writes about Royal Holloway’s multi-cultural society.

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e’ve started the new year with the news that the murderers of Stephen Lawrence, an 18 year-old youth murdered in a racial assault in south-east London over 18 years ago, have finally been charged and given jail terms. And in 18 years, can we say so much has changed? That racism is no longer an issue in our modern society? Just last year The Guardian published an article revealing the rise in the number of ethnic minority youths that were being disproportionately stopped under the stop and search power of the police. Alongside this we’ve also witnessed the rise of the EDL, an American pastor burning holy texts, the unbelievable attacks in Norway last year and various racist incidents in sport.

We’ve certainly come a very long

way from the times of Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela, where racism wasn’t just isolated incidents but institutionalised in almost every part of society and everything possible was done to establish a distinction between races. At least this is not the case nowadays.

However, even though racism and segregation is not institutionalised anymore, a problem still exists, and this is reflected by the things I mentioned earlier. And it’s become more subtle as a result. This only occurred to me a few days back when I was watching the news on TV and a story about Diane Abbott came up and they described her as a “black MP”. Now, I don’t think that would be classed as a racist comment, but was there a need to say it? Was there a need to differentiate her, can she not

simply be called an MP, like anyone else in that position?

Royal Holloway is a very multicultural university and this is reflected in the number of cultural and faith societies we have on campus. As a result of this the vast majority of students here get along perfectly fine, and to celebrate this a number of societies have got together and launched the “Love Holloway, Hate Racism” campaign.

This campaign is to celebrate the multi-cultural society and brilliant cultural harmony we have here at Holloway, with two big events occurring last term and more planned for this term. We want as many people as possible to get involved, so if you’re interested then please email societies@ su.rhul.ac.uk and spread the message: Love Holloway, Hate Racism!

Christians Together: Mission Week

4Nathan Nasrallah and Andy Rich write about what the Christians Together societies do in Mission Week...

Since the beginning of time, man has wanted three things. Delicious food, answers to the meaning of life and a brilliant social experience. For two weeks in January, we will be providing these three things for the staff and students, totally free of charge during Mission Week.

What is mission week you may ask? Mission week is a week run by Christians Together with tonnes of free giveaways and plenty of amazing events. There is something for everyone! Whether you want to participate in the open mic night, the movie night, the pub quiz, or the international food night, you’re in for a treat!

Come along, have a great night out, and have an opportunity to have your questions about God and Christianity

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answered. We’re also joining up with the debating society for a very special one off debate.

Mission week is for everyone and anyone! You don’t have to be a Christian, or even believe in God in order to attend... Anyone is invited whatever you believe or are passionate about. There are lunch time and evening events every day throughout 30th January – 3rd February, as well as taster sessions for those living in halls the week before.

There are also plenty of other activities happening during the week!

There is an abundance of free food throughout the week! Want Subway sandwiches? Come to the lunch bars every day. Want a warm, fresh, delicious toastie? Text in a question about

life, the universe or anything during Text-a-Toastie. Want free international food? Come along to the international food night. How about some pizza?

Come along to the pizza and movie night. Look out for posters around campus, flyers in halls and friendly Christians in blue, white or red shirts, for more information.

When is mission week you may ask?

From Monday 23rd January – Friday 3rd February. Where is it? All around campus and into Englefield Green.

What do you have to do? Just turn up with a bunch of people!

For more information, contact Andy on 07975990601 or Anna on 07771597618 or email royalhollowaycu@gmail.org. You can also check out the website at www.rhcu.org.uk!

THE ORBITAL JANUARY 2012

KEEP CALM AND

DON’T SIGN For any housing advise please contact the Advice & Support centre in the Students’ Union : email vpedwelfare@su.rhul.ac.uk or tina@su.rhul.ac.uk